July 1, 2006 - Sent off in the World Cup quarter-final against Portugal after appearing to stamp on the groin of Ricardo Carvalho and then push Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo. Getty Images

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson says the Three Lions could have won the 2006 World Cup had Wayne Rooney not been sent off against Portugal in the quarter-final.

Rooney was sent off with 62 minutes played after stamping on Ricardo Carvalho - England would hold on for a 0-0 draw before losing 3-1 in the penalty shoot-out, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher all missing from the spot.

Rooney, now England captain, will win his 100th cap today against Slovenia in the Euro 2016 qualifier at Wembley.

“It could have been possible [to win the World Cup] if he hadn’t have been sent off in 2006,” Eriksson told talkSPORT.

Now an established member of the Toffees first-team, Rooney adds a few more million pounds to his price tag with his first Premier League brace

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In his own words...

‘I met with David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad. I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract’ – talking about his Manchester United future in 2010

With United trailing 2-1 in this Champions League semi-final, Rooney levelled, and struck and injury-time winner with a smart first-time effort from outside the area

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England goals to remember: England vs Denmark – November 2003

Attempting to play in Emile Heskey, the ball rebounded off Thomas Helveg for Rooney to run on to. The forward then blasted the ball past Thomas Sorensen

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What they said…

‘I said to him only one thing. I said: ‘Well, just remember one thing, respect this club. I don't want any nonsense from you, just respect the club’ which, you know, I don't know if he has done that’ – Sir Alex Ferguson

A goal that highlighted both Rooney’s sheer determination to score goals, and United’s ability to counter attack. From an Arsenal corner, Rooney passed to Nani, burst past the retreating Gunners and fired home

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In his own words...

‘It is up there with my best’ – talking about his goal Vvs West Ham from just inside their half

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Honours...

PFA Young Player of the Year: 2004-05, 2005-06

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Off-field headlines: United contract: Round one (October 2010)

The star-striker demanded to leave United, claiming the future of the team to be unsecure. He signed a new deal just days later

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What they said…

‘He's a player I like very much but I can't say more. He's fast and direct, but he is a Man United player’ – Jose Mourinho amid speculation over a transfer to Chelsea

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Manchester United goal to remember: Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City (February 2011)

Wow. Nani’s deflected cross looked to be too far behind Rooney for him to score, but some excellent acrobatics sent the ball sailing into the top corner, and the United fans into jubilation

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On-field controversy: Premier League vs Fulham (March 2009)

Booked for throwing the ball away, his second yellow card, Rooney appeared to unleash a load of abuse towards referee Phil Dowd before assaulting the corner flag when leaving the pitch

The star of a Premier League demolition, Rooney netted a superb hat-trick, the second of which was a well-placed effort after a smart free-kick routine

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England goals to remember: Croatia vs England – June 2004

His first of a brace, he picked the ball up from 20 yards out and blasted it home

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In his own words...

‘If you look at the teams that have won the tournament in previous years, you can see that nastiness in them. I think we need to get that in us. Maybe we are too honest’ – talking about the 2014 World Cup defeats

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What they said…

‘If Wayne is going to be one of the best footballers in the world, this World Cup is where he has to produce’ – Paul Scholes prior to the 2014 World Cup

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On-field controversy: Montenegro vs England (October 2011)

In an attempt to win the ball, Rooney kicked his opponent on the back of his leg. Not only did he not win the ball, he was given a red card…

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Before he was famous…

Michael Owen was his childhood hero

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Manchester United goal to remember: Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United (December 2012)

Though the match will be remembered for Robin van Persie’s winner, Rooney scored the opening two goals, which were much needed for United after their 6-1 humbling in their previous meeting with City

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What they said…

‘His ability is fantastic, but his attitude when he plays football is that he is willing to die for the team’ – Cristiano Ronaldo

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Honours...

Attempting to cynically tackle Stewart Downing, Rooney’s ill-timed lunge did exactly what it was supposed to… apart from get him sent off

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What they said…

‘For me, Rooney is not the player who scores 40 goals a season. But he is the player who helps his partner score lots of goals because he is working for one, two and maybe three other players. It seems like he has a strong mentality to win - like me he doesn't like to lose’ - Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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Manchester United goal to remember: West Ham 0-2 Manchester United (March 2014)

Rooney reminded the world he is still capable of the incredible with the first of his two goals in this match; a magical moment of improvisation from just inside the Hammers’ half

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England goals to remember: England vs Slovakia – March 2009

Another brace for Rooney, this time he calmly created space by rounding the goalkeeper before slotting the ball home

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Great game…

Brazil vs England – It doesn’t get much better than scoring at the Maracana, which is exactly what Rooney did in this 2-2 draw (June 2013)

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In his own words...

‘He was vitally important. I’m grateful to him for having the faith to bring me in from Everton. It was a great feeling. Sir Alex is the best manager there’s been and for him to recognise my talent and want me to join this club was a great honour for me’ – Rooney on Sir Alex Ferguson

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England goals to remember: San Marino vs England – March 2013

With England winning 5-0, the game was already over. But that did not stop Rooney from scoring a free-kick from 25 yards. England went on to win 8-0

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In his own words...

‘Obviously I'm not going to be as big a legend as Sir Bobby Charlton - he's won the World Cup. To eclipse that I'd have to win the World Cup’ – Rooney on becoming an England legend

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What they said…

‘He is a very good player but not the best in Manchester’ – Mario Balotelli during his time at Manchester City

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Honours...

Won England Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009

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England goals to remember: Uruguay vs England – June 2014

While it may not have been a spectacular goal from Rooney, it is one he will remember. The tap-in was his first England goal at a World Cup finals tournament

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“If he had been on the pitch for the full 90 minutes then who knows what would have happened.

“It was a low point for him and me. In 2006 we all thought we had a good chance to reach a final and maybe win it. When I say we, I mean the players, the staff and myself. We were convinced that there was no better team than England at that World Cup.

“We could have won it but, when you get a red card in the quarter final of a World Cup, it’s hard.”